Turgåere foran Engabreen Trym Kristiansen

Engabreen (also known as Engenbreen) is a glacier arm of the Svartisen glacier in Meløy. The hike from the fjord up to the glacier front is beautiful, following the blue-green Engabrevatnet and climbing over the smooth rock that’s been polished by the ice over thousands of years.

Key info

Difficulty: Easy to moderately demanding. The first 3 km are on a gravel road. The terrain is mostly flat, but gets steeper toward the end.
Distance one way: Approx. 4.3 km
Elevation gain one way: Around 190 metres
Time one way: 1.5 – 2 hours
Season: June to August
Starting point: Boat across Holandsfjorden, then begin from the dock at Engen
View the parking in Holandsfjorden on Google Maps
View starting point in Engen on Google Maps

Important: The glacier is unstable and constantly moving. Large ice blocks can fall without warning. Always follow marked trails and stay at least 100 metres away from the glacier edge.

Be sure to check the boat schedule across Holandsfjorden and plan your trip accordingly.

In addition to being Norway’s second-largest glacier, Svartisen is also the lowest-lying glacier in the country. In Meløy, the Engabreen glacier arm extends down to about 200 metres above sea level. This hike takes you from the dock, past Brestua café, along Engabrevatnet, and up to the cairn near the glacier front.

The hike begins at the dock in Engen. To get there, you need a private boat or to take the shuttle boat across Holandsfjorden, which operates several times daily during summer. Most of the hike follows a well-maintained gravel road alongside Engabrevatnet.

Dronebilde av skyssbåten over Holandsfjorden i Meløy, med bretunga Engabreen i bakgrunnen. Simon Fossheim / Visit Helgeland

The gravel road ends at the far end of the lake. From there, continue about 1.5 km on trail and rock. Good hiking shoes are strongly recommended, especially in wet weather, as the rocks can be slippery. After a short while, the trail splits — stay to the right. The left-hand trail leads to the much longer and more demanding hike to the DNT cabin Tåkeheimen.

The final 500 metres are steeper than the rest of the hike. At the cairn, you’ll get a close look at the glacier’s size and enjoy great views down to Engabrevatnet. Remember to stay well back from the glacier edge, as large blocks of ice can fall suddenly. The minimum safe distance is 100 metres, and we recommend everyone stay on the marked trail.

From the cairn, you can return the same way or continue about 600 metres further to Svartisgryta, a giant pothole carved out by ice and water over thousands of years. It’s a great place for a refreshing dip on a warm summer day — for the adventurous!

Glacier tours

A guided hike on the glacier is an incredible experience. With a professional guide, you’ll explore the ice safely while learning about the glacier’s formation and history.

View starting point on Google Maps

1. Follow the Norwegian Mountain Code and plan according to your ability and equipment

Short hikes on easy terrain don’t require much. If you’re heading out for an hour or two in the lowlands and not gaining much elevation, you won’t need a lot of gear or be in top shape. If it gets cold or you get tired, you’re usually not far from your car.

But if you’re heading into more challenging terrain—steeper, rougher, and above the treeline where the weather is more unpredictable—you’ll need to be better prepared. You should plan the trip based on weather and conditions, be fit enough to complete it, and be ready for uneven ground, boulder fields, slippery roots, and stream crossings. That means carrying a heavier pack with extra clothes and gear, and wearing sturdy hiking boots that support your ankles.

If you’re unsure about taking on a demanding mountain hike, start with an easy or moderate one and see how it feels.

Learn more about the Norwegian Mountain Code at rodekors.no
See what you should bring on your hike on VisitNorway.com

2. Stick to marked trails

A shortcut through unfamiliar terrain can easily turn into a long and difficult detour. What looks like a trail might just be a sheep path that leads you somewhere completely unexpected. If you want the hike to be as easy or challenging—and as long or short—as planned, it’s best to follow marked trails.

If you’re heading off-trail, it’s smart to follow a GPS track. You can download a GPX file from a hike description and use it on a GPS device, a smartphone app, or a GPS watch.

UT.no and the UT app offer hike descriptions with GPS tracks. If your hike doesn’t have one, you can upload a track to ut.no/mine-turer and access it in the app. It’s free, but you’ll need to create an account.

Always carry a map and compass as backup.

UT app for Android / UT app for iPhone

3. Talk to locals or join a guided hike

Locals often have useful tips about your planned hike. They can tell you where to park, whether there’s phone coverage, if the trail is wet, if rivers are high, or suggest a better alternative. Talk to the people where you’re staying, at the local tourist office, or other hikers on the trail—you might get some truly valuable advice.

The best option is to hike with a guide. You can join a group tour or book a private guide. These are experienced locals who know the area well. They’ll help tailor the hike to your needs and share insights that add to the experience.

4. Look out for cultural landmarks

Even high up in the mountains, you’ll find traces of past human activity—some hundreds or even thousands of years old. These can include ancient trail markers, signal cairns, hunting fences, huts, and shepherd shelters. If you spot something interesting, check the KulturPunkt app to see what it is—or use the app to find a cultural site as your hiking goal.

KulturPunkt app for Android / KulturPunkt app for iPhone
KulturPunkt.org

5. Remember your responsibilities under the Right to Roam

Norway’s Right to Roam means you can hike, bike, pick berries, camp, fish, and ski almost anywhere in nature. But it also comes with responsibilities—what we call the “duties of the Right to Roam.” Leave no trace, respect wildlife, and know the rules for hunting, fishing, cycling, and access in protected areas like national parks and nature reserves.

Read more about the Right to Roam and your responsibilities at VisitNorway.com

Thank you for respecting the local communities, and for helping us preserve the natural beauty of Helgeland!

Please:

  • Strive to leave no trace of your visit. Bring back all your rubbish, including used toilet paper, and discard it in the nearest rubbish bin.
  • Plan your toilet visits and use the opportunity when you pass a toilet. In the wilderness, make sure you are not a nuisance to others.
  • Respect the local wildlife. Keep a good distance from wildlife, livestock and birds. Keep your dog leashed.
  • Respect private property. Keep a respectful distance from houses and cabins.
  • Show good boating sense. Keep a good distance from shore and drive at a low speed, especially when you are close to anyone or anything on the water, including birds or animals. Avoid loud and disturbing engine noise. Be aware that some islands and nature reserves are important nesting sites, and that going ashore is prohibited during the nesting season.
  • Follow the Norwegian Mountain Code (Fjellvettreglene). Plan your excursion according to the weather forecast, your skills and experience.
  • Join a guided excursion or consider hiring an experienced guide, especially when you don’t have sufficient experience or knowledge to guarantee a safe trip.

Find accommodation, food, and activities nearby.

Restaurant Gammelbutikken – authentic local seafood

Restaurant Gammelbutikken is Støtt’s grand locale and exudes authentic coastal culture. Here, you can taste the best that the island and the sea have to offer in terms of local culinary treasures. They follow the entire value chain, from harvesting ingredients in the island’s natural surroundings and catching fish in the Vestfjorden, to serving it in the restaurant.

Kayaking trips in the Meløy and Rødøy area

Meløy Adventure offers guided kayaking trips on the Glomfjord, to the Svartisen glacier, and on the waters near Rødøyløva (443 m), as well as longer excursions around the island of Mesøy. The company also rents out kayaks, and its experienced instructors offer a variety of kayaking courses.

Accommodation at Glomfjord Overnatting

Meløy is a beautiful area for a wide range of holiday activities, year round. With a comfortable base at Glomfjord Overnatting, you have easy access to adventures on the sea and in the mountains.

Hunting the Northern Lights at Støtt

Do you yearn for a truly magical winter adventure, and a respite from the hustle and bustle of everyday life? Between September and May, Støtt invites you to see the amazing celestial display of the Northern Lights! In addition, you will surely appreciate the subtle winter colours of our beautiful island realm.

Stay with a view of the stunning Svartisen glacier

Enjoy a memorable holiday at Engen Gård, surrounded by beautiful scenery and overlooking the Engenbreen glacier in Meløy. This location is perfect for couples, families, or groups of friends looking to spend quality time together.

More hiking adventures in the area

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